Saturday, January 27, 2024

Foundry patterns were transformed into chandeliers that cast artistic shadows on the floor of the Energy Innovation Center, part of the Patterns of Meaning installation. Image courtesy of Cory Bonnet.

If you haven't noticed by now, certain creative endeavors—those at the intersection of industry and artistry—strongly resonate with us and really fit our vibe. So it's no surprise that Cory Bonnet's Patterns of Meaning project drew us into its orbit.

It's an effort that we've been able to support through collaboration and grantmaking—and it's the topic of this week's Community Spotlight article. Find out how the adaptive reuse of our region's foundry patterns is catching attention in the farthest corners of the Rust Belt!

While some foundry patterns are primed for creative reuse, others, like the ones that are at W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop, are archival collection items that help to tell the story of a specific place and time. Your first opportunity in 2024 to see this amazing collection of artifacts will be at our annual Hammer-In Festival on April 20. Mark your calendars now.

Be sure to check out this week's featured video about The Ruins Project, another local creative pursuit that blends our region's industrial heritage with artistic practices. We are also highlighting a few free events next weekend with Kelly-Strayhorn Theater and West Overton Village.

As always, thanks for reading!

Artist Cory Bonnet, founder of the Patterns of Meaning, poses with some of his contributions to the project. Image courtesy of Cory Bonnet.

FEATURED STORY

Community Spotlight: Patterns of Meaning

Cory Bonnet is an oil painter and sculptor by trade, known for utilizing salvaged materials as his inspiration. Thanks to his reputation for reuse and two chance discoveries—and with a little help from his friends—he can now add “preservationist of some of the region’s oldest steel-industry foundry patterns and blueprints” to his repertoire.

FEATURED EVENT

The Hammer-In Festival

Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop

Once a year, blacksmiths from the tristate area convene for the Hammer-In Festival at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop in Greene County. If you haven't been there, it is a National Historic Landmark owned and historically preserved by Rivers of Steel. While the details for the 2024 event are still coming together, now's a good time to save the date for this free event. Highlights of the day include blacksmithing demonstrations, tours, iron pours, an auction, and more!

FEATURED VIDEO

The Great Ride: The Ruins Project

Produced by WQED as part of the programming related to their film The Great Ride, and in keeping with our theme this week of artistry and industry, check out this video about The Ruins Project. In case you missed it, you can also read about The Wandering Wall at The Ruins Project, one of our Community Spotlight stories from last month.

THINGS TO DO IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

Support Rivers of Steel's work in communities throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Your tax-deductible contribution will help champion community collaborations and ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.

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